Hundreds of locals and visitors descended on Lalanasi Lodge in Laikipia East for the inaugural Goat Derby.
The goat racing competition on Sunday drew young and older adults, who loved the fun-filled contest in which goats competed in many 100m hits.
The goats race in the derby, and the first goat to get to the finish line is considered the winner.
During the two-day event, Lalanasi General Manager Daniel Kamau stated that it was a first-of-its-kind event that drew a diverse population from around the region.
He explained that, besides boosting local tourism and agribusiness, particularly among young people, the event aimed to raise awareness of various financial options in farming, livestock keeping, and the importance of environmental conservation.
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Though not a popular sport, Kamau remarked that, despite its novelty and enjoyment, it provided an opportunity to educate neighbours and participants on the necessity of dairy goat rearing.
The event concerns goat racing, where people bet on their favourite goat to win.
Before the race, participants (handlers) choose their favourite goat and mark it for identification. Then everyone joins in to pursue their famous goats to the finish line.
Based on some of the participants, it was a fun-filled weekend of its sort, save for some obstacles that arose due to some of the goats failing to run as they would have liked, forcing them to devise means to drive them to the finish line.
Ms Edith Koech, Assistant County Commissioner for Munyaka Division, welcomed the event, saying it will encourage young people to join agribusiness and find meaningful ways to earn a living.
She emphasized the need for environmental protection through tree planting, stating that the area lacked consistent rains, causing most households to go hungry.
